Atlantic Canada cruise industry poised for strong 2025 season
Atlantic Canada celebrated a dynamic 2025 cruise season defined by inaugural visits, significant milestones, and strong collaboration across the region. The 2025 season opened on March 10 with PONANT’s Le Commandant Charcot making its first winter call in Corner Brook, and concluded on Nov. 19 when AIDA Cruises’ AIDAdiva departed Halifax, Nova Scotia.
Between the first and last calls, the region received 610 vessel visits and more than 845,000 passenger visits at ports across all four Atlantic provinces.
“Atlantic Canada has long been known as a premier cruise destination in the fall, and its central role in Canada New England itineraries, along with other sailings, continues to highlight the region’s appeal throughout the cruise season,” says Sarah Rumley, ACCA Executive Director. “While the beauty of autumn will always be a remarkable draw, guests are discovering the vibrancy of our summer season, the depth of experience offered across our ports, and the regional cuisine that makes Atlantic Canada welcoming in every season.”
First-time visits
Several cruise brands and vessels made their debut in Atlantic Canada this year. Virgin Voyages’ Brilliant Lady called on both Saint John, New Brunswick and Halifax, Nova Scotia for the first time, while ports also welcomed inaugural visits from:
- Oceania Cruises’ Allura
- Celebrity Cruises’ Celebrity Silhouette
- PONANT’s Le Commandant Charcot
- Princess Cruises’ Majestic Princess
- Regent Seven Seas Cruises’ Seven Seas Splendor
- Silversea Cruises’ Silver Dawn
These maiden calls highlight the expanding presence of luxury and premium cruise brands in the region.
Port Highlights
St. John’s, Newfoundland & Labrador
The Port of St. John’s enjoyed a successful 2025 cruise season, highlighted by nine inaugural calls, eight turnarounds, and several overnight stays that allowed guests to fully experience the destination. As North America’s easternmost and oldest city, St. John’s delivers a truly distinctive guest experience, offering immediate access to a lively waterfront, colourful historic streets, the unmistakable spirit and cultural richness that define Newfoundland and Labrador.
Corner Brook, Newfoundland and Labrador
The 2025 season in Corner Brook began with PONANT’s Le Commandant Charcot winter call and later saw Cunard’s Queen Mary 2 return for a third visit to western Newfoundland and Labrador. Through partnerships with local tour providers, the port offered guests opportunities to experience the region’s dramatic landscapes, cultural traditions, and renowned hospitality that defines Canada’s East Coast.